Re: City China Trip Expeditures

I think your correct regarding the city manager knowing about the additional cost's on the trip. Not sure how long the trip planning has been in the works? We have folk's in our city who are really hurting. Many Savannahian's are out of work right know due to the financial downfall and a grim economy. I am amazed that with all this financial chao's going on. The city counsel still went on the China trip in Novemeber. Somebody tell me, What does a publicity trip to China matter to people who are hurting and out of work and with many worried about their future employement? This country is in a big mess right now and it will be for a while. The China trip should have been postpond until a further date. This would have been the appropriate thing to do. Whatever cost's were agreed and approved upon should be paid by the taxpayer's of the city. However, any overages that were not, should come out of the pockets of those who over spent. Right know, City managers all need to stick with the absolute basic needs for our city until things turn around and improve which can and will allow for our future growth :-\

Michael Brown most certainly knew per diem expenses to be paid to each and every one of them going to China. He knew what was included in that amount he quoted when this all came out. He knew he was deceiving the rest of the Council and the taxpayers.

Postponing the trip a year or two would have been the proper thing to do - in my opinion. However, I do remember when the Chinese delegation visited Savannah, there was talk of a delegation from Savannah that would visit their city in China in the future.

"We are the music makers, and We are the dreamers of dreams." ~Arthur O'Shaughnessy